President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reassured Nigerian workers of his administration’s readiness to address their pressing challenges.
The President described Nigerian workers as true heroes of the nation, whose efforts will continue to inspire the country to strive for excellence.
Addressing the workers at the 2025 May Day celebrations in Abuja yesterday, President Tinubu commended the resilience and dedication of Nigerian workers, describing them as the backbone of society and emphasising their central role in nation-building.
The president, who was represented by the Minister of Labour and Employment Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi, acknowledged the severe economic challenges facing the citizens but assured them that he was poised to address them.
He noted that while economic hardship was a global issue, his administration remains intentional in formulating and implementing policies aimed at job creation, poverty alleviation and inclusive economic growth.
Speaking on the theme of this year’s celebration, “Reclaiming the Civic Space amid Economic Hardship,” the president stressed the need to reclaim Nigeria’s civic space, calling it essential to democracy.
Tinubu further revealed that Nigeria is set to join the International Labour Organisation’s Global Coalition for Social Justice, an initiative he said aligns with the government’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
He said, “Workers and indeed many Nigerians face various challenges, including rising living costs, hunger, insecurity, unemployment, loss of livelihoods, and the pressure to provide necessities for their families.
“As your president, I know these challenges are real and critical and demand definite solutions, which I am poised to address.
“My administration is committed and intentional in formulating and implementing policies that promote job creation, decent jobs, poverty alleviation, economic growth and stability, and support for the most vulnerable among us.”
He urged workers to reaffirm their commitment to fairness, equity, and justice.
“ Let us work together to ensure that every worker, regardless of their role or background, has access to opportunities that enable them to thrive”, he added.
On his part, minister of Labour and Employment Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi affirmed the federal government’s commitment to listening to and acting on workers’ concerns..
Speaking through the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, he reaffirmed the government’s commitment to labour protection, fair wages and strengthening democratic institutions.
“Your voices are heard, your concerns are valid, and your resilience is deeply respected,” the minister said.
Meanwhile, delivering a joint address, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President Comrade Joe Ajaero and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) of Nigeria president-general, Comrade Festus Osifo, lamented the plight of Nigerian workers, describing their condition as “mass suffering and massive betrayal.”
They decried poor wages, economic exclusion and the erosion of the dignity of labour.
The labour leaders questioned the moral compass of those in governance, warning that social justice cannot coexist with widespread poverty.
“We have become one of the poorest workers on earth. Should any worker be working in poverty?” they asked, accusing government and private sector employers of injustice and neglect.
In their 20-point demands, the organised labour asked for the immediate reversal of the emergency rule in Rivers State, including urgent salary adjustments in line with current economic realities, a halt to the indiscriminate registration of new unions, restoration of gratuity payments, and an upward review of the retirement age for all public servants.
The labour leaders also demanded a review of the PAYE tax regime, the withdrawal of controversial tax bills from the National Assembly, and the implementation of an agreed-upon telecom tariff cut from 50 to 35 per cent.
Other demands presented to the federal government include transparent governance, economic justice, workers’ rights enforcement, a reversal of electricity privatisation, and an end to dehumanising verification processes in the public sector.
The labour centres also demanded that pensions be automatically adjusted to reflect inflationary trends, that outstanding pensions and gratuities be paid, and that social services be prioritised over private interests.
Meanwhile, the governors in the country have described workers as the backbone of the workforce in the states.
The chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum and governor of Kwara State, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, praised Nigerian workers for powering the nation’s economy and shaping society’s future.
The governor made the commendation in a message commemorating the 2025 Workers’ Day in Ilorin.
Similarly, the speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Engr. Yakubu Danladi-Salihu praised the workers for their resilience and assured them of the continued support of the legislative arm of government.
For his part, Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani asserted that no civil servant in the State is earning less than N70,000, noting that his administration has complied with the Minimum Wage Act.
Recalling his antecedents as a human rights activist, the governor said the least paid worker in Kaduna State receives N72,000 monthly because he believes in the dignity of labour.
Addressing workers at Murtala Square, where Workers Day was celebrated on Thursday, Governor Sani said that he had agitated in the streets in the past for the return of democracy and for workers’ rights.
Governor Sani, however, acknowledged that the issue of incremental salary adjustments had not been resolved, promising that it will be resolved soon.
On his part, Governor Ahmed Aliyu of Sokoto State highlighted a series of landmark achievements aimed at improving the lives and productivity of civil servants across the state.
During the 2025 Workers’ Day celebration, Governor Aliyu praised the dedication and contributions of workers in the state, describing them as the backbone of governance and development.
In Edo State, Governor Monday Okpebholo has increased the minimum wage from N70,000 to N75,000 to further improve their standard of living.
Governor Okpebholo announced this while delivering his May Day speech at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City, Edo State.
In Delta State, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and Speaker of the State House of Assembly (DSHA) Dennis Guwor have described workers as the backbone of the government’s wheel of progress.
They disclosed yesterday in Asaba during the 2025 Workers’ Day (May Day) celebration.
The governor, represented by his deputy, Sir Monday Onyeme, noted that Workers’ Day is not just a celebration but “a moment to reflect on the shared journey and renewal of commitment to building a Delta state and Nigeria where every worker is valued, empowered and rewarded.”
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) has responded to the Kano State government’s statement claiming that retired workers in the state are still receiving monthly salaries.
The NLC said the affected workers are not ghost workers but were processing their retirements after applying.
The state chairman of the NLC, Kabiru Inuwa, who spoke at the Workers’ Day celebration, made this known to newsmen in Kano on Thursday.
Workers in Bayelsa State, under the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), have called for better protection of their rights and welfare, especially in the face of growing insecurity and shrinking civic freedoms.
The demand was made during the 2025 Workers’ Day celebration held at Peace Park, Yenagoa.
In a joint statement by the state chairmen of NLC and TUC, Comr. Barnabas Simon and Comr. Julius Laye, the labour leaders expressed concern over poor working conditions, remuneration inequality, and limited self-expression opportunities among civil servants.
In Kogi State, the NLC called on the state government to pay all its outstanding backlog of unsettled gratuities for retirees, which has accumulated to billions of naira to enable them to enjoy their sweat.
Comrade Gabriel Amari, the state chairman of NLC, made the call on Thursday during the 2025 Workers’ Day celebration held at Muhammadu Buhari square in Lokoja.
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